Improvement in horse hay-forks



JOSEPH RQBENEDICT.

y Improvementl in Horse Hay-Forks.

` y l N0. 126,855. fg' Patented May 21, 1872.

UNITED STATES PATENT GEErcE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE HAV-FORKS.

Speciiication forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,866, dated May 21, 187 Q.

Specification describing a certain Improvement in Hay-Forks, invented by J osEPH R. BENEDIGT, of Marion, in the county of Wayne and State of New York. l

This invention consists in combining with the fork proper, and With the shank of the same, an arrangement of toggle-levers, which stand at an angle with the connected parts, and serve to brace them, as hereinafter described.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is -a perspective view of thefork closed, Fig. 2, a similar view of the same open.

A represents the fork proper, and B its shank. These parts are pivoted together at c,

and the heel b of the fork extends some distance back for the connection of the togglelevers, as will presently be described. The upper end of the shank B may be made either straight or crooked, as indicated in the drawing, being in the latter case specially adapted to use with my elevator or hoisting-machine patented June 13, 1871. It may also be formed with a pulley, c, in the end, as shown in the drawing. To the shank B is pivoted a lever, D, and to the end of heel b is pivoted a lever, E. These two levers are pivoted centrally together, as shown at f. The lower end of D is made square with the bottom corner chipped ori, as shown at g, so as to fit into a corresponding notch, h, cut into the heel, serving in that form as a pawl. The upper end of nlever E is preferably crooked outward to receive the disengaging-cord Gr. Tines H H, for holding the hay upon the fork, may or may not be used,

as desirable. When used, they are bolted to the sides of the shank, as shown. These toggle-levers D E constitute an angular brace between the shank and heel ofthe fork by the simple elosin g or folding of said parts together, so as to form one straight length, in which condition they brace the angle securely. They retain the parts in position Without springs or other locking attachments Which are usually employed. purpose.

It Will be noticed that, in opening the toggle-levers to disengage the fork, the ends Vof lever D will move out of the notch h in a line concentric with the axis of D in turning on the shank; hence there Will be no binding or undue resistance in dumping heavy loads. This is a novel feature in my invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The toggle-levers D E, pivoted, respectively, to the shank B and fork A, and pivoted centrally together, when arranged, as described, to close in one straight length to brace the parts, and to lock, by the enga-gement of the square ends g, with the corresponding 'notch h, as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH R. BENEDIOT.

Witnesses:

JOHN TINKELPAUGH, WILLLAM BUEDEN.

They are very ei'cctive for this- 

